card, so you would know which laws applied to you and what you were allowed to do. but as of 1952, every black person in the country over the age of 16 had to have not just a ratio i.d. car, like everyone else, but also this passbook, which any white person could demand to see at any time. and if you were found to be in a place that was not just reserved for black people, if your passbook did not explain what you had explicit permission to be there, as a nonwhite person, then it was illegal for you to be there. and you could be arrested, just for existing. just not having your passbook on you at all times was also grounds to be arrested and thrown in jail. the pass laws meant that by virtue of being black in south africa, you were presumed to be a criminal unless you could prove otherwise by having the proper paperwork. and any white person could challenge you anywhere for any reason, and if you did not have the passbook, if you did not have the right documents, if you didn't have the right written permission to be where you were, when you were there, then you could